Obituary of George H. Bray

George Henry Bray, MD, 87, of New Britain, CT died after a long illness on May 21, 2010.  He was a leading surgeon in the New Britain medical establishment from 1952 until his retirement 1991. The son of Anna A. Murphy and Dr. Henry T. Bray, he was born on September 8, 1922. After the untimely death of his father at the young age of 44, George never considered any other profession than medicine. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame, then received his medical degree in 1947 from University of Vermont. He interned at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, fulfilled the first year of his surgical residency at Long Island College Hospital, spent three years as a flight surgeon at Otis Air Force Base in Falmouth, Mass., and finished his residency at New Britain General Hospital. He began his practice in New Britain in 1956, being honored in 1997 for forty years of membership in the Connecticut State Medical Society. He was a well-respected surgeon who joined with three other physicians to create the New Britain Surgical Group in 1960. He served as associate chief of surgery and chief attending surgeon prior to assuming the position of chief of staff of the New Britain General Hospital from 1977 to 1986. Dr. Bray was always a strong advocate of New Britain much as his father was, who was the first Chief of Staff. He served as president of the New Britain branch of the American Cancer Society; a volunteer and supporter of the CT BHI RACE IN THE PARK; board member of the Community Council; on the board of directors of the Hartford County Medical Association; a supporter of the New Britain chapter of the American Heart Association; a Founder at Mooreland Hill School. In 1992, the hospital board of directors surprised and pleased him when they dedicated George Bray Cancer Center at the hospital. The hospital noted that George had confronted the many faces of cancer and served as a living example of tying science and caring together into a seamless approach to the disease.    George loved spending time with his family. He was an avid skier and sailor, both with his children and his many friends. A long-time member of Shuttle Meadow Country Club, he sometimes loved, sometimes hated golf, but always enjoyed his tennis. George and Gertrude traveled to Europe to ski and cruised the many coves of New England. At home, he became a devoted gardner, creating a sumptuous vegetable patch amid a sea of lovely flowers and trees. Dr. Bray is survived by his wife, Gertrude Austin Bray, with whom he was married for almost 65 years; five children, George Geoffrey Bray (and his wife Joyce) of New Britain, CT. Anne Tierney Bray of Los Angeles, CA Robert Todd Bray (and his wife Victoria) of Pittsburgh, PA, Christopher Austin Bray (and his partner Kate Selby) of New Haven, VT, and Susan Elizabeth Bray (and her husband Jim Ginnetti) of Windsor, CT. In his later years, he reveled in the love of his eight grandchildren (Brad, Jamie, Ryan, Justin, Sarah, Ben, Kaitlin and David), two great-grandchildren (Madeline and William). A special thank you is in order for his care givers who also showed him wonderful support at Arden Court, Brittany Farms and the Hospital of Central Connecticut Palliative Care. Friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday at 11:00 A.M. at St Maurice Church 100 Wightman Rd, New Britain. A private burial will be held in St. Mary Cemetery, New Britain at the convenience of the family. Visitation will be Monday evening from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the Farrell Funeral Home, 110 Franklin Sq, New Britain. In lieu of flowers donations may be given in memory of Dr. George Bray to the George Bray Cancer Center at the Hospital of Central Connecticut or Mooreland Hill School or the University of Vermont Medical School. Mr. Kent Carlson of the Carlson Funeral Home is assisting with the arrangements.